Taylor and the Bully

Taylor is being bullied at school. It started in October with name calling and teasing. I went to the teacher and was told that it would be dealt with, but that I should understand that this child, who was brand new to the school, came from a bad home on a reserve, and has had a hard life.

Well, I'm sorry but that is not my problem. That is the problem of the girls family, her elders, her school and quite possibly Social Services if they have become involved. I said to him that Taylor has had a difficult home life as well (a dying father for gods sakes, parents seperation, freakoid of a mother) but that she has always been very well behaved at school.

I will give Taylor kudos for that one. She may drive me crazy at home on a daily basis, but has been loved by every teacher she has had from the age of 3. She has always been friendly, is commended for her willingness to help others and her grade one teacher said "If every student was like Taylor, teaching would be a pleasure everyday." See, I've done something right.

So don't give me that bullshit about a bad home. Deal with the child before it becomes an issue at school, or as soon as a sign is seen at school, and it shouldn't go to far. He never talked to the girl and for the rest of the week Taylor was picked on. And then one day she called home and said she was sick. William went to pick her up and as they were coming home he asked her a few questions. He said to her that he didn't think she was sick, but that she was suffering from "Bully-itis." She said "I think you are right." Taylor hates missing school, she cried one day last year when I made her stay home because she was really sick. So with her actually calling home I had known something was up.

The teacher still hadn't talked to her by Friday and Taylor was still getting picked on. It was a hot lunch day and I served lunch to her class. I figured that if he wasn't going to take care of this, I would. I went up to this girl and said "Since your teacher isn't going to talk to you, I will. If you say another word to Taylor, I will take it right to the principal. Do you understand me?" She nodded her head and said yes. When I saw her again at the end of the day I said "Remember what I told you."

And all was good. The following Monday Taylor came home and said that Hope had been really nice to her. The last 6 or so weeks have been teasing free.

Until Tuesday when Taylor came home and said that Hope kept hitting her in music class. I am going to the school tomorrow to talk to the music teacher (who's a hard ass, I know she'll deal with it) and if it doesn't stop I will call the police and ask them to come in and talk to her. I know that seems like I am pushing it, but it is something they offer and so why not take them up on it. Now that Taylor has actually been hit, the police consider it assault, not bullying. Although this girl will not be charged, I am under the impression that the police actually open a file on her (if there isn't already one.) It will make the principal mad, but too bad. It is our silly conduct policy that allows children to get away with being monsters. Zero tolerance, my arse!

I will not have my daughter afraid to go to school. This is that school's problem, they have had children move to other schools because they have been physically attacked and the bully's haven't been punished with anything more than an in-school recess suspension. It's ridiculous.